Lay groups rally for pro-life bets

CEBU, Philippines - If they were hoping for an overwhelming show of support for the Catholic vote, perhaps yesterday was not their day.

An estimated two thousand Catholic supporters joined the Unity for Life prayer rally organized by the Lay Initiatives For Election (LIFE) 2013 yesterday at the Plaza Independencia, which was participated by local and national candidates.

LIFE, a lay-initiated movement of the Archdiocese of Cebu is urging voters to choose candidates who have been proven to be pro-life and pro-family in the upcoming May 13 polls.

Five senatorial candidates out of the 12 that LIFE endorsed joined the prayer rally to personally thank the Cebuanos for their endorsement.

These were former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, former Senator Richard Gordon, San Juan City Mayor Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito Estrada, former Senator Miguel Zubiri and former Buhay Partylist Rep. Christian Señeres.

“Taos pusong nagpapasalamat ako sa Archdiocese of  Cebu at sa mga lay organizations sa inyong pagpapahalaga sa aking paninindigan, pagtitiwala sa aking kakayahan at suporta sa aking kandidatura sa pagka-senador,” said Villar.

The three-term congresswoman said that she has been upholding the interests and welfare of women, children and family.

“My stand in issue and legislations has always been in line with the Catholic ideals and doctrines. It is no secret that I am pro-life. We should uphold the preservation of human life and sanctity of marriage and family,” Villar added.

Gordon said that the Catholic Church’s endorsement is a wonderful endorsement because it is siding with life. He is also opposed to same-sex marriage.

“God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, or Madam and Eve. God’s purpose of marriage is to procreate”,  Gordon said.

Gordon said he believes that there is always a Catholic vote, but sometimes the faithful just has to be reminded of their duties and beliefs.

Zubiri also thanked the group for their endorsement as this would mean a huge factor in his candidacy.

“Unlike before nga relax ra, the Catholic groups karon grabe ang ilang paningkamot nga makadaug gyud ang ilang mga kandidato and I am so proud and honored that they endorsed me,” Zubiri added.

Estrada said that he has been always pro-life and pro-family and assured the Cebuanos that he will continue to fight against anti-life bills if elected into the Senate.

Señeres said that every life is important and has to be protected and nurtured and that all bills that put life in danger have to be repelled.

Bishop Emelio “Boy” Bataclan, who celebrated a Mass prior to the presentation of the candidates endorsed by LIFE 2013, said that the crowd was not that many since not all lay people have enough finances.

Waterfront police station chief Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu said that they estimated close to 2,000 people attended the event.

“Abi nako milyon ang moanhi kay Sunday man gud. Pero kaning tapoka nganhi karon, wala man sad ni hakot. Ang tanang tawo mianhi of their own will and money just to show their support to LIFE 2013. Ang uban wala makaari kay walay pamilite, kaming mga pari buslot pod ang bulsa,” said Bataclan during his homily.

Bataclan said that the people should not let their votes be bought by those politicians who practice vote-buying and support those filled with the Holy Spirit.

“Ang atong botaran ang mga tawo nga kasaligan, kanang puno sa Espiritu Santo. Nagpakamatay ang atong Ginoo sa Krus, unya atong ibaligya atong balota? Dili ta padiktar. We should do anything good. Unsaon man nang pagkadatu kung wala na poy mga tawo tungod anang RH Bill?” Bataclan said.

All the endorsed candidates were allowed to make a two- to three minute speech and all of them promised the people that they will fight against the passage of anti-life bills.

Samsam Gullas, who is running in the first district, said that he will always be grateful for the endorsement from LIFE.

“I will always be grateful and I will serve the Church and preserve its values. Rest assured that I will be pro-life,” said Gullas.

Pablo Garcia who is running in the second district, recalled joining forces with other congressmen against the RH Law.

“We may have lost a battle but we did not lose a war,” Garcia said.

“We will continue to carry on the fight. We will never give up, bringing it to the Supreme court and to Congress,” former congressman Raul Del Mar also said.

Although some of the endorsed senatoriables  were not around, they sent representatives to talk in behalf of them. Mitos Magsaysay was represented by her daughter Camille, Nancy Binay was represented by her sister Christine, Koko Pimentel was represented by his mother Bing, Antonio Trillanes was represented by Ashley Acedillo while Gringo Honasan was also represented.

JC Delos Reyes and Marwil Llason, were not able to attend and did not send any representative.

Rene Bullecer, country director of Human Life International-Philippines said that several congressmen have already promised that if elected they will sponsor a bill that will repeal the RH Law.

“We need to ensure the needed numbers of pro-life senators and congressmen in the 16th congress. After RH Bill, we cannot allow another failure. We will do our best to help ensure a pro-life victory this May 13,” said Bullecer.

Bullecer said that LIFE has 28 member organizations under the Council of the Laity and 29 different charismatic groups in Cebu.

Next week, LIFE 2013 will be distributing sample ballots containing the names of the endorsed candidates all over the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros and Panay. 

LIFE 2013 also endorsed the partylists Buhay, Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy and Ang ProLife. —/BRP (FREEMAN)